A HIGH SPEED CHASE OF ROYAL PROPORTIONS

The Queen's Handbag, whimsically written and illustrated by Steve Antony, follows Her Royal Highness--in hot pursuit of a sneaky swan who has stolen her handbag--on a trip all over Great Britain. Whether by car, by plane, by horse, or by parachute, the queen is determined to chase down the thief and reclaim her purse in grand style. From England to Wales to Ireland to Scotland and back again, this high-speed chase visits landmark after landmark, giving readers a veritable first-class if quite madcap tour of the best of the United Kingdom. 

Meticulously illustrated in a stylistically limited palette of blacks, blues, and reds, the artwork in this picture book certainly lends itself to readers poring over all the clever details from Windsor Castle to the White Cliffs of Dover and everywhere in between. Will the exceptionally intrepid queen finally apprehend the aviary bandit by journey's end? Armchair adventurers will have to follow her on travels to find out. 

This royally entertaining picture book should be a smashing success with preschoolers through second graders. 

DIGNITY IN A HOT DOG SUIT

When Dan Hogg said he would help his uncle with his hot dog business at the fair, his uncle never mentioned that he would be passing out samples in a hot dog costume.  It's a hundred degrees and no one wanted the yucky samples until a beautiful girl comes along.  He's so smitten, he begins looking for her and let her try out the thousand dollar costume.  With nothing to do but hang out in the bathroom stall in his underwear, Dan overhears a conversation about something criminal happening at the fair.   What's a 15 yr. old boy gonna do, but try to protect his beloved crush, even if he is in his undies.

Hold the Pickles by Vicki Grant is part of the Orca Currents series that's short and easy to read. The Orca Currents are perfect for those older students who hate to read but have to.  This one is full of puns and humor for readers in 7th grade and older.